The Norwich Purple Tornado boys and Binghamton Patriot girls took home STAC basketball titles on Friday night. The Tornado beat the Elmira Express 73-51 for their third straight conference title. Binghamton beat Elmira 60-47 to repeat as champion and clinch its fifth title in seven years.


Carlos Ithier led Norwich with 24 points. Olivia Ramil led the Lady Pats with 21.


Despite a 29-27 lead at the half, the Tornado jumped out to an early lead in the third thanks to an 11-3 run, Ithier with nine of those eleven. In total, it was a 29-12 performance in the third that distanced Norwich. Elmira's only lead came at 2-0 in the first quarter.


For the Pats, it was a 24-21 lead at the half and an eight point lead after three. The final quarter was all Binghamton though. Twenty points for the Patriots in the game's final frame.


Both teams take plenty of momentum into the Section IV tournament. In Class B on the boys side, Norwich opens play on Friday the 19th at home against the winner of Tuesday's Chenango Forks and Newark Valley matchup.


In the girls Class AA bracket, Binghamton with a semi-finals matchup on the 23rd at home against Corning.